1940 Ford coupe question

[JTRACING]

I was hoping someone could tell me what the silver part mounted on the rear end is?   

Edited February 29, 2016 by JTRACING

[Greg Myers]

It's a Columbia 2 speed rear end. http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2006/06/Columbia-two-speed-rears/1280603.html

There are a few kits out there with this early hot rod option in them, 

Edited March 1, 2016 by Greg Myers

[JTRACING]

Cool thanks, I wasn't sure what term to google ?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Greg's right, but actually, the "silver" part is the vacuum actuator that shifts the gears in the housing. That rear end, without the two-speed setup, looks like this...

The two-speed Columbia uses a different RH side axle housing from the standard Ford assembly.  

The Columbia was used occasionally to help with high-speed runs on dry-lakes cars, way back in the wayback.

Edited March 1, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy